State of affairs

A lot of you aren't going to like this post, but that's alright. My mission here is not to convert anyone to my style of thinking, but to offer a different perspective for you to consider. As we all know, our state is in a dire situation. Corruption, casteism, religious fanaticism, superstitions, regionalism (Garhwal vs Kumaon), and divisive politics have taken their toll. I had great hopes for the younger generation—myself being 26—thinking that together we could lift our state out of this decline and raise it to new heights. However, the more I read posts in this sub, the more horrified I become at the mentality that continues to dominate our younger generation. I was born in a small village in Kumaon and spent my first 18 years there, later moving to a small town. Afterward, I moved to Delhi for my education and stayed there for work. During this time, I visited Uttarakhand whenever I could. Last year, I moved back to Uttarakhand permanently. I have cousins and relatives who were born in metropolitan cities and only visit the state during summer vacations. Having experienced life both in and out of the state, I’ve seen firsthand the many challenges and issues that plague Uttarakhand. I’ve attended Jaagars, Melas, Pujas—you name it. I’ve traveled to cities and towns like Dehradun, Nainital, Haldwani, Almora, Tehri, and several remote villages across both Kumaon and Garhwal. One thing I’ve noticed is the prevalence of misconceptions and extreme superstitions among people here. Surprisingly, many of these outdated beliefs are held by individuals whose families migrated to bigger cities within or outside the state. Meanwhile, those still living in villages have started, slowly but surely, discarding these old superstitions. It’s ironic to see people far removed from the reality of the state clinging to these beliefs like a bag of pearls while those living amidst these traditions are moving on. From time immemorial, sages, yogis, gurus, meditators, kings, and even beggars have visited Uttarakhand to ponder life’s existential questions. The beauty and solitude of the Himalayas create a perfect environment for going deeper within oneself. Yet, lately, we’ve been forgetting this profound aspect of our state. I’ve met—and history is filled with—people from outside the state who have contributed immensely to Uttarakhand. Many of us in this sub can only dream of achieving what people like Swami Vivekananda, Neem Karoli Baba, Mukti Dutta, Adi Shankaracharya, and Sarla Behn have done for the region. Meanwhile, I’ve observed many of my fellow state residents taking every opportunity to be conniving, deceitful, and corrupt—seeking personal comfort even if it comes at the cost of worsening the state’s condition or defacing its natural and cultural heritage for petty gains. What I’m about to suggest might not resonate with everyone, but I firmly believe that the solution to our conflicts—both personal and societal—lies in our lack of true spirituality. By spirituality, I don’t mean Jaagars, Pujas, or the other rituals commonly associated with it. Don’t get me wrong—every act can be meditative if the doer is fully aware of their intention and the consequences of their actions. However, the kind of Hinduism currently practiced in Uttarakhand—and much of India—is mostly performative. It does not embody the true essence of spirituality. I’m not here to tell you what to believe or not believe. My request is simple: cultivate awareness and deepen your connection to the source. If you’re wondering how, I encourage you to explore the supreme spiritual texts—the Vedas, the Upanishads, the Bhagavad Gita, the Ashtavakra Gita—or works by spiritual titans like Swami Vivekananda, Jiddu Krishnamurti, Nisargadatta Maharaj, and Ram Dass (a disciple of Neem Karoli Baba). We can only resolve external conflicts in the world once we achieve clarity within ourselves. And that clarity comes from being free of inner conflict. https://preview.redd.it/gpmwrd3qoofe1.jpg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=43d3a717990306bf9b1d9007694d823b81cd731e https://preview.redd.it/zi5i7p1woofe1.jpg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=cdd1506049f292661fe16df597f6f812c195a9db #